Tag Archives: plumbing

Midlands News, News

Custom Heat Celebrates Most Successful Year to Date, Achieving 56% Growth

30 Jobs Created So Far This Year this with Further 60 on Offer Through 2022

Custom Heat, a plumbing and heating specialist that provides services across the Midlands has increased its turnover by 56 per cent during its last financial year. Established in 1980 in Rugby, Warwickshire where its head office remains, Custom Heat has expanded significantly over the last five years, but 2021/2022 is being celebrated as its most successful business year.

In the last 12-months, Custom Heat has expanded its service area to include central and north Birmingham, south Staffordshire, and has also branched out south into the Cotswolds. It has also strengthened its three-year-old partnership with Worcester Bosch as one of the boiler manufacturer’s UK Accredited Service Partners – a move that follows a similar affiliation with British Gas made earlier this year.

Lincoln Smith, Managing Director of Custom Heat commented: “56 per cent growth during 12-months is a wonderful achievement for us. We have worked hard to grow at a steady and sustainable pace, moving into new counties and areas as well as concentrating on building great business relationships with the likes of Worcester Bosch and British Gas. I have to say a huge thank you to our team members, who truly look after our customers, and also to our customers who recommend Custom Heat’s services to others.”

In 2016/2017 the company’s turnover was £843,000, growing by 491 per cent in five years to almost £5 million.

In 2017 the firm employed 40 people while today the Custom Heat workforce stands at 140, with 10 per cent apprentices. 30 new people have been welcomed to the team since January and the company forecasts that 50 more engineer roles and 10 office jobs will be created before 2023.

Smith – who took over the family business twelve years ago – puts Custom Heat’s achievements down to his focus on customer needs, helping his team members to do their jobs better and utilising the latest, integrated technologies meet – and exceed – expectations. He explains: “I have always been interested in what the cloud can do as well as how technology can create efficiencies that manual processes never could, so when it was time for the business to push forward with its long-term growth plans in 2016, we strategically centred on such solutions. I hate the idea of a customer or staff member not being happy so I asked myself, ‘how can tech help with that?’.”

In 2016, as Custom Heat migrated to integrated financials and operations cloud-software they were servicing approximately 400 customers in Warwickshire a month with 27 vehicles. Today, as the firm services a wide geographical area across the Midlands and occasionally beyond – for customers such as Windsor Castle – the figure is circa 7,000 and 92 Custom Heat vans can be found on the roads travelling to and from homes and businesses.

Smith was also very aware of the shift in customer demand starting to take place, where customers wanted a modern approach to booking appointments, making purchases or receiving deliveries at a time convenient to them. This demand has since only been strengthened by the pandemic. Therefore, a website appointment system was also linked to the engineers’ job bookings, parts and billing systems.

“We can sometimes get over eighty bookings via our website during a weekend, because people just don’t want to wait until Monday morning to have some peace of mind. If your boiler breaks down during Sunday dinner, pop online and you’ll get an appointment with Custom Heat for Monday. This isn’t possible with individuals or many very large companies, even if you have a care plan with them. I’m proud that our customer’s end-to-end experience is seamless thanks to clever integration and automation, and our growth throughout the Midlands shows our customers think we’re doing something right,” Smith added.

Showcasing its loyal customers and advocates has also been part of Custom Heat’s strategy – the firm has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot and 4.8 out of 5 on Google reviews. The company also works hard to optimise its website for searches, ensuring homeowners or businesses in need of heating or plumbing services will be able to find Custom Heat whether in a crisis or to plan an installation.

To learn more or to book an appointment online, please visit customheat.co.uk

News

Business boom and global partnership for Welsh heating and plumbing firm

HUGE plans are in the pipeline for a North Wales plumbing and heating company which has partnered with a giant of the international sector.
Get Carter UK is expanding into new areas and recruiting engineers after a stellar 2021 saw them increase their client portfolio, including the addition of Italy-based Ariston Group.
Managing Director Paul Carter is now targeting the domestic market after securing major contracts with local authorities and national insurance companies in past years.
The St Asaph firm is about to mark its sixth anniversary, and the 43 year-old plans to celebrate by rolling the service out to new locations, including West Cheshire and the Midlands.
“We have had a lot of success in the commercial sector and want to replicate that on the domestic side,” he said.
“Partnering with Ariston was an absolute no brainer, their approach to future technologies and smart heating systems that can be operated anywhere with internet access is peerless, as is their customer service and sales offering.
“At the heart of this will be our new boiler service plan – in partnership with Ariston – which is already proving popular with homeowners in North Wales; we can only see that developing across the region and beyond.”
Paul added: “We offer three different options at different price levels for affordability, but all of them offer peace of mind for our loyal and prospective customers, including an annual and priority breakdown service.
“Our partnering with Ariston means that should you need a new appliance we can offer full support with the latest technologies, and you should never be with out heat for more than 24 hours, which is a major USP.
“We really want to disturb the market and prove that the local company is a much better option than the national – the customer is at the heart of everything we do.
“That ethos has helped to accelerate our growth since day one and means we can compete with giants of the industry while maintaining a flexible, more personal approach.”
A gas engineer by trade, Paul had put the premise behind Get Carter UK – notably servicing of boilers and renewable energy contracts – to his former bosses at a national heating company.
While agreeing it was a good idea, they felt the time was not right to follow the strategy.
Admitting his dyslexia can prove challenging in dealing with administrative tasks, a determined Paul decided to go it alone, and now the firm employs engineers across Wirral, Cheshire and North Wales, with plans for more staff in the coming months as they look to attract customers over the border.
“At the moment we cover the area from Wirral to Anglesey and down to Aberystwyth on a daily basis,” he said.
“Our plan next year is to expand into the Midlands and West Cheshire, and we are currently recruiting engineers in those areas.
“We will look to take on more corporate clients and mirror the success we’ve had on the commercial side in the domestic market as we move forward.”
He added: “We are coming up to six years in business and it’s been an eye opener, with the biggest issue we’ve had being the scale of growth we’ve experienced, and a lack of support from business agencies.
“When I started, I was honestly happy just driving around in a van on my own doing the work, but I saw opportunities and before I knew it, we are where we are now.
“We work with public sector organisations, insurance companies and other areas, we have an incredible IT system and a fantastic supply chain, as well as the best engineers in North Wales and Cheshire, I wholeheartedly believe that.
“Now we are looking at the domestic market there are going to be further twists and turns and ups and downs as we progress, but that’s the nature of business, and what’s helped us to this point is being flexible and giving customers an end to end service that’s not available elsewhere.
“The plan is to keep working hard and see where the journey takes me – it’s been some ride so far!”
For more information, visit www.getcarter.com or call 01745 335278.
News

Say goodbye to having to constantly replace and work out where to source those essential household parts from

A shortage of supplies has recently hit the construction industry and everyone of us reading this article are just one breakdown away from a hefty plumbing bill.

A North-West based online marketplace called Gasqet is trying to solve these problems by providing a platform for consumers and businesses to order durable washers, seals and gaskets in minutes and dispatched within 24 hours.

Ethar Alali, CEO and Managing Director of Axelisys Limited said: “During their lifetime, millions of households will face at least one of the problems caused by washers that break or waste away. Next thing they know, they are hit with an expensive plumbing bill and emergency call out charge. What Gasqet aims to do is deliver a convenient service that allows anyone to source durable essential parts when they need them, safe in the knowledge that they will not need to replace them regularly.

Its artificially intelligence driven 3D printing fleet helps homeowners and construction teams identify the right plumbing washers by taking a picture of pipework.

Rigorous testing has found that the washers are significantly more durable and have greater longevity than traditional washers, as well as being fully recyclable.

Alali added: “Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do as a company, and we have also ensured that the products we sell and how we deliver them to consumers are as environmentally friendly as possible. Our products outstrip traditional washer pressure seals by 40% and offer an almost four times higher tensile strength improvement, and our local deliveries use electric fleets or cycle couriers. Gasqet washers last longer, even though they are made from eco-friendly materials each washer lasts more than 10 years. Moreover, we are signatories to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and have published a charter which lets you know what we have committed to.

“We recognise people lead busy lives with competing demands on their time, so our online marketplace sources the best and strongest parts, closest to you which ensure you never need to go on a quest to find a washer ever again.

“With many washers designed to last as long as the house does, it is much better to pay pennies now then spend thousands of pounds later.”

For further information visit https://gasqet.com/

Construction, News

Revealed: how long it takes to break even when starting a trade business

Revealed: how long it takes to break even when starting a trade business

● Joinery businesses are the cheapest trade to set up, costing around £6,600

● Self-employed plumbers recover their start-up costs the quickest – under six weeks

Joinery businesses are among the cheapest trade companies to set up in the UK, averaging nearly £2,500 less than other sectors, new research has revealed.

With over 40% of construction firms expected to make redundancies due to the virus[1], tradespeople may be considering going self-employed. IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, has identified the cheapest industries in which to do so.

The study added up the typical costs people pay when entering the UK’s four most popular trades[2] (joinery, building, electrical, plumbing), with everything from insurance to marketing.

Joiners pay the least, with the average set-up fee totalling £6,642. With the typical daily rate for joiners around £150[3], these initial costs could be repaid within nine, five-day weeks.

Despite being the most expensive businesses to set up, plumbers can expect to earn back their investment quickest, as they are able to charge the highest daily rates. Averaging nearly £350 a day[4], the £9,124 start-up cost could be repaid within six working weeks.

The trade businesses which are the cheapest to set up in the UK are:

1) Joinery – £6,642 (repaid in nine weeks, £150 a day)

2) Building – £6,791 (nine weeks, £160 a day[5])

3) Electrical – £6,873 (six weeks, £245 a day[6])

4) Plumbing – £9,124 (six weeks, £347.50 a day)

One of the most significant outgoings is accreditation. New plumbing companies pay the most in this department, with organisations like HETAS and OFTEC charging substantial sums for membership. Such credentials, combined with the cost of other important courses, like First Aid at Work, the Gas Safe Register and Asbestos Awareness, can set you back over £3,000, which is significantly more than other trades.

Some expenses, however, are necessary across all sectors, such as insurance, marketing, company registration and van hire.

A new trade business can expect to pay over £600 a year to completely cover themselves with insurance. Contractors All Risk insurance is one of the most costly forms of protection, starting at £298 a year, but includes cover against both property damage and third-party injury, so is worth the investment.

Marketing is another significant outlay, but an important one nonetheless. Paying out for business cards, flyers, logo design and a new website usually costs at least £600 pounds. However, such costs will pay for themselves if they lead to a surge in new clients.

Finally, there’s the crucial cost of equipment. A tradesperson may have accumulated tools during their career, but if they are new to the industry, there are tools they will need before taking on work. Joiners pay the most here, with key equipment adding up to £600. Circular and table saws are the biggest outlays, so it could be worth looking for second-hand retailers, whilst ensuring the products are high quality, as income will depend on their performance.

The full breakdown of costs per trade is as follows:

Type of Cost Accreditation Trade Association Marketing Insurance Equipment Other (storage, van hire, business registration) Total
Joiner £1,005.00 £117.00 £610.54 £638.21 £599.38 £3,672.00 £6,642
Builder £1,041.00 £472.80 £610.54 £638.21 £355.97 £3,672.00 £6,791
Electrician £1,005.00 £585.00 £610.54 £638.21 £361.87 £3,672.00 £6,873
Plumber £3,481.00 £231.00 £610.54 £638.21 £490.98 £3,672.00 £9,124

Andy Porter, a self-employed carpenter from Southampton, has given his three top tips for people looking to set up their own trade business:

1) Look at local adverts and see what similar trades are doing (e.g. services, pricing)

2) Get quote and invoice terms and conditions in place early and make sure they are watertight

3) Make sure you have plenty of money saved up as cash flow is incredibly important

Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect, said: “Many tradespeople will aim to run their own businesses one day, so it’s useful to get an idea of how much it would cost to do so. While these sums can appear quite daunting, most of the expenses will directly improve your service or help you win more work, so are worth the investment in the long run.

“Owning your own business can be incredibly satisfying, so to help those who are considering going it alone, we’ve compiled a list of tips on how to do so effectively.”

For eight pieces of advice from tradespeople who have set up their own business, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/eight-top-tips-for-setting-up-your-own-trades-business

 

[1] Construction Leadership Council survey: https://www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk/news/clc-people-survey-results-published/

[2] Employment by occupation: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/datasets/employmentbyoccupationemp04

[3] Average daily rate for joiners: https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/knowledge/articles/2018/08/how-to-become-a-joiner-UK/

[4] Average daily rate for plumbers: https://www.homeadviceguide.com/plumbing-prices-and-costs/

[5] Average daily rate for builders: https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/knowledge/articles/2018/04/how-to-become-a-self-employed-builder/

[6] Average daily rate for electricians: https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/knowledge/articles/2018/07/how-to-become-a-self-employed-electrician-uk/